German public broadcasters cancel support of Roger Waters’ tour after anti-Semitism complaints

'Two regional state-funded German stations will no longer promote and cover local concerts of Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, known for his anti-Israel views, after public complaints and a petition.

Malca Goldstein-Wolf, a Jewish resident of Cologne, wrote to WDR, the regional subsidiary of national broadcaster ARD, critiquing Waters’ support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which aims to isolate Israel through economic and political means over its treatment of Palestinians.

"Will WDR actually support the new 'Do not buy from Jews'? [a Nazi-era slogan] And use state money to do so?" wrote Goldstein-Wolf, who also started an online petition that gathered 1,500 votes.

First receiving coverage in local Jewish papers, the campaign was picked up by the national media and she told Bild that there had been a move towards “accepting the hatred of Jews” in German society.

After engaging in correspondence with Goldstein-Wolf, WDR director Tom Buhrow relented, and said that station was cutting its official partnership.

"I sense that not many words and arguments will convince you, but only clear action," Buhrow wrote in an email, which has been published in the German media.'